1. The Persian Wars A rare time of alliance

2. Now they’ve done it… Persia conquered Ionia in 520 BCPersia conquered Ionia in 520 BC Ionians revolted & Athens sent aidIonians revolted & Athens sent aid Darius of Persia swore revengeDarius of Persia swore revenge

3. Fast forward 30 years 490 BC – Persia invades near Athens at Marathon (25,000)490 BC – Persia invades near Athens at Marathon (25,000) Athenians defend (10,000)Athenians defend (10,000) Persian army fleesPersian army flees

4. Darius is dead! 480 BC Darius dies480 BC Darius dies Son Xerxes is new kingSon Xerxes is new king Assembles large army and navyAssembles large army and navy Greece dividedGreece divided No resistance to Persian armyNo resistance to Persian army

5. Thermopylae Narrow pass defended by 7,000 Greeks & 300 SpartansNarrow pass defended by 7,000 Greeks & 300 Spartans Fought 3 days before Xerxes flanked GreeksFought 3 days before Xerxes flanked Greeks All Spartans killed while rest of army retreatedAll Spartans killed while rest of army retreated

6. Salamis Greece positioned fleet near SalamisGreece positioned fleet near Salamis Xerxes found Athens empty, burned itXerxes found Athens empty, burned it Persian fleet couldn’t maneuverPersian fleet couldn’t maneuver Athenians sank 1/3 of Persian fleetAthenians sank 1/3 of Persian fleet Sparta defeated rest of Persian army at Plataea in 479 BCSparta defeated rest of Persian army at Plataea in 479 BC